Final answer:
Rapid-acting insulins, such as Lispro, Aspart, and Glulisine, are designed to control blood glucose levels after meals by quickly lowering glucose levels within minutes, peaking around one hour, and lasting for a few hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rapid-acting insulins are a class of insulin analogs that start working quickly and last for a shorter duration compared to regular insulin. These include Lispro (Humalog), Aspart (Novolog), and Glulisine (Apidra). They are designed to mimic the body's natural insulin response to meals, controlling postprandial (after meal) blood glucose levels. When injected, they begin to lower blood glucose within 15 minutes, peak in about one hour, and continue working for two to four hours.
Insulin helps facilitate the entry of glucose into the body's cells for energy and stores excess glucose for future use. In instances of diabetes mellitus, there can be insufficient insulin activity which leads to high blood glucose levels, also known as hyperglycemia. Additionally, insulin injections can aid in increasing the efficacy of glucose transport to avoid spikes in blood glucose after high-glucose meals.
Considering glucagon, it raises blood glucose levels by prompting the release of glucose from the liver, especially when blood sugar is low. This is the opposite action of insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels. Understanding the balance and function of insulin and glucagon is crucial for managing diabetes